Co-Op Programs

Cooperative Education (Co-Op) programs offer numerous benefits for students looking to gain real-world experience before they graduate. In addition to gaining anywhere from 12-22 months of practical experience prior to graduation, students also earn a significant and competitive salary while on their co-op sessions. Unlike many other co-op programs around the nation, the co-op programs at Purdue require all 3 or 5 work session to be with the same employer, allowing students to gain a long relationship with their employer, work on more projects, and take on increasingly responsible roles in their work sessions. Students that complete a Purdue co-op program are highly sought after they graduate and are distinguished from other recent graduates.

5-Session Co-Op- Students start their co-op positions after their first year, or in the fall semester of their sophomore year, and complete five work sessions with the same employer. As they progress through their work sessions, students begin to perform jobs they would expect to do upon graduation. This program is a transcript-recorded experience and provides an academic certificate upon completion.

3-Session Co-Op - Students begin in the fall, spring, or summer of their junior year and complete three work sessions with the same employer. Like the 5-session co-op, this program is a transcript-recorded experience and provides an academic certificate upon completion.

Master's Co-Op - For those wanting to participate in co-op during their graduate studies, students that complete this program will not only meet all MS degree requirements in their specific discipline but also have significant, graduate-level industrial experience within the profession of their choice.

Internship Programs

Internships - Internships allow students to experience several different employers over the course of their educational career. The duration of an internship experience is typically one semester, often during the summer.

Intensive Internships - Similar to standard internships, intensive internships allow students to delve a little deeper into their internship experience by spending two consecutive semesters in the program instead of one summer session.

Global Professional Practice Programs

In addition to our co-op programs, the Office of Professional Practice also offers a number of work and research opportunities around the world. Ranging from study abroad experiences to our one-of-a-kind GEARE program, we have programs for everyone looking to broaden their horizons.

GEARE - This program allows students to gain global competencies by study and intern abroad

Global Opportunities - These programs allow students the opportunity to work on innovative projects at some fo the world's leading research institutions. Students gain valuable practical experience, research credit, and enhanced global competencies through work in an international setting.

Professional Practice Study Abroad - Our study abroad programs allow students to gain an understanding of global work, life, and study. Students travel overseas for a one- to two-week time period and will explore aspects of professional practice in a particular country, gaining an understanding of how particular professions are trained in the host country.

Interns for Indiana

The Interns for Indiana Program connects entrepreneurially-minded Purdue University students to Indiana startup and second-stage companies in order to promote economic development, enhance student success, and provide professional opportunities to high performing students with the goal of keeping them in Indiana after graduation. Through a mutual selection process, companies are matched with students from a wide variety of STEM and non-STEM disciplines. Learn more!